Origin
Central City, PA
Morning in Central City on Sunday
Local time
8:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Central City, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
141.7 mi
228 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Central City, PA
Kelly
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 141.7-mile journey from Central City, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is a manageable 3-hour and 12-minute drive, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including stretches of William Penn Highway and I-99, with about a third of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23. This route primarily stays within Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward travel experience. It's a drive that allows for flexibility, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 61.2 miles on the William Penn Highway, so you can easily fit it into a single day without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.8 miles from Central City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 61.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 99 | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| South Eagle Valley Road | 16.1 mi | 23m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.5 mi | 18m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| North High Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Plank Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Union Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central City, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Moose Run Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Moose Run Road
2
Turn right
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 220 Alternate South: Port Matilda, Phillipsburg, Tyrone
3
Turn straight onto US 220 Alternate; PA 144
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
South Eagle Valley Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 220 Alternate; PA 504
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Union Street
5
Continue on US 220 Alternate
11 mi
·
16 min
·
South Eagle Valley Road
6
Continue on US 220 Alternate
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Plank Road
7
Turn right onto US 220 Alternate
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North High Street
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Altoona
9
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 99; US 220
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
this road
12
Continue on US 22
16 mi
·
19 min
·
William Penn Highway
13
Continue on US 22
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 22
45 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Second Avenue
18
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Ross Street
19
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fifth Avenue
20
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft
·
21 sec
·
Grant Street
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and 141.7-mile length, this trip is best tackled as a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for potential traffic, especially as you approach Pittsburgh. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as the estimated cost is $23, and consider refueling before you hit the longest stretch on William Penn Highway if you prefer to break up longer segments. This route is straightforward, so focus on enjoying the varied driving experience.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.8 miles from Central City, PA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 31 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.8 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsburgh, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Central City, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Central City, PA
This is one driving day of about 141.7 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Central City, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 61.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.8 miles from Central City, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before William Penn Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 141.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right toward US 220 Alternate South: Port Matilda, Phillipsburg, Tyrone
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 220 Alternate South: Port Matilda, Ph...
7
18.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Altoona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Altoona
8
127.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
140.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward Second Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
7
141.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
|
Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.49 one way
$46.98 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $25.73 | $51.46 |
| premium | $4.93 | $27.48 | $54.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.29 | $62.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.88 | $6.80 |
| Efficient EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.40 | $5.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.7 | 0 | $19.84 | $9.07 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
8:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Minersville, PA
71 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 12m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 73.3
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 83.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed profile, blending highway speeds with more local road driving. With 33% of the route on highways, you'll experience some faster-paced sections, particularly on I-99. However, significant portions will be on roads like the William Penn Highway, offering a different pace. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 61.2 miles on the William Penn Highway, suggesting a substantial segment of consistent driving before potentially transitioning. This variety means you'll encounter different driving conditions and scenery as you progress toward Pittsburgh.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.2 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.4 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Central City, PA to Pittsburgh, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Hollidaysburg along the way.
Hollidaysburg
51.4 mi in
|
~1h 4m
About the Cities
Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA
Full guide →The pleasure of Pittsburgh remains a well-kept secret. Though not built up by reputation, the city's unique combination of bridges, steep hills, and broad rivers make it one of the most naturally scenic cities in the country. Cheap food and beer abound in this true sports town and the locals are amazingly friendly. A city of about 303,000 (2021) in Allegheny County, at the center of a metro area of about 2.4 million in southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is situated at the confluence of three rivers: the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, which meet to form the Ohio River. The city's unique terrain has resulted in an unusual city design and a hodge-podge of unique neighborhood "pockets" with diverse ethnic and architectural heritage.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 141.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.2 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Pittsburgh, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.4 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittsburgh, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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